The Swing Bat: Does it Develop Proper Wrist Snap?

by Robert Canary
(Hartford, KY)

Swing Bat

Where is Ryan Braun snapping his wrist?

Is wrist snap BEFORE or AFTER Impact?

Joey,

As you already know from our previous conversation I have identified an issue with several hitters that relate directly to a long wrist-snap (often late). I have came up with several training methods (in my head).

While doing fielding practice I can stand at HP and hit a ball 210' flat footed and with one arm. The boys (and girls) always ask me how I do that.

Well, I put my own analysis skills to work on myself, and identified the major factor in my one-handed hits was a hard and fast wrist snap. If I use a slip grip (a technique I coined and fine tuned) I can get the ball to 245'.

I tried a few coaching techniques on one of the boys to see how am I going to correct this snap. I did develop a drill that works. I'd rather not post it to the public, because in the wrong hands it can be acid-nine to a hitter if not taught (and used correctly).

However, I did come across the Swing Bat. It seems to be centered on the fact if you don't snap the bat early enough then it will not sling out correctly. What do you think?

SwingSmarter.com Response:

Great find Robert! I moved this post to the Hitting Aid Review section of SwingSmarter.com.

I've seen something like this before, I know Nerf made a bat doing this way back in the day, late 80's early 90's I think.

It made a popping sound when the barrel dropped in the zone. We just thought it sounded cool because the bat made a sound like you hit the ball when you really didn't! lol

Although, the Swing Bat instructor in the video says to listen for the "pop" farther out in front.

This bat definitely promotes a Down & Through hitting philosophy. Short to the ball.

Where Should Wrist Snap Be?

I used to think late wrist snap (what the Swing Bat promotes) was good to put a charge (and backspin) into the baseball, but looking at the two Ryan Braun photos above tells a different story...

Wrist snap actually happens in the Slot position...for a righty hitter, the right hand on top, left hand on bottom has to SWITCH top/bottom hand positions as fast as possible.

This is crucial to accomplishing two super important things: 1) Accelerates the barrel before impact, and 2) Builds in the ability to make minor adjustments to off speed and breaking pitches while the barrel is in the Area of Impact, and still "barrel" the ball.

Here comes the $Million question...

By getting the barrel into the zone deeper, then the Swing Bat should "pop" EARLIER in the barrel path (Area of Impact) right?

To do this correctly, we have to look out for if the kid is suffering from barrel "drag" syndrome.

What we see with Braun above is called barrel "lag," and is good to see in a healthy swing.

We see barrel "drag" when the hitter arm bars, attempting to bring the barrel into the zone with a stiff front arm, and the back elbow races past the hands to contact.

This acts like a parachute attached to the hitter's barrel, slowing down bat speed.

Notice how the back elbow of Braun in both pictures is behind his hands...?

Here's a video Chas Pippitt dissected of Josh Hamilton, talking about how the hips are moving the hands and arms...key in on the positioning of the hands and arms how they remain unchanged to impact...

All of Josh's barrel acceleration takes place before his barrel ever sees Impact.

So Robert, look into this a bit more on the videos of your kids and see if you're seeing barrel "lag" or "drag" in their swings.

I'm curious.

Final verdict on The Swing Bat?

If you purchase it, then look for an early "popping" sound, and make sure your kid has barrel "lag" like Braun above with the back arm in a rowing motion behind the hands.

Comments for The Swing Bat: Does it Develop Proper Wrist Snap?

The Swing Bat is a wonderful tool. So many things are often verbally stated to young hitters, such as Snap the Barrell out front, let the ball travel deep in the zone etc etc. This bat actually allows you to simulate these pitch locations and thru the audibal and visual aspects of the tool, it truly can be accomplished. A young hitter can get a great head start, and a mature hitter can continue to enhance his or her swing be it softball or baseball as they become physically stronger as well well as smarter hitters.

We love The Swing Bat, it's a great tool.

Nov 29, 2012Rating

Hand-Eye and Timingby: Hitting Instructor

Absolutely does develop the proper wrist break snap! The Swing Bat is a excellent training aid and made of very high quality material. We use it @ the batting cage and hit whiffle balls off the tee. And do the soft toss drills that the Swing Bat web site shows. I think the tool does more than that, It develops, triggers muscle memory..In that it uses a audible,visual bio feed back signal with all the feel of the swing. P.S. Thinking back to when I first swung the swing bat, After My first swing I said oh my! my snap is happening way to early. It took me literally only about 5 more swings, to really see how well it works. I highly recommend this hitting aid.

Nov 04, 2012Rating

Wrist snap The Swing Batby: Coach

The shorter compact swing w not alot of lag or lunging. Little League boys and girls swing is usually at first anyway coming from the Arms and with out much power or quickness. The Swing Bat is promoting to hit the ball at the plate, calling it in front, this in my opion is a great way to teach a hitter to use good positive swing mechanaics.Incorporating a good wrist Snap! They have several video's on their site, I would sugguest that you take a look @ them all. If you have not actually held a Swing Bat and swung it " your missing out" Will be looking forward to your actual use & review.